Brutale
(Guillermo Barrera)
Context
Brutale is part of the large stable of street-level villains that Chuck Dixon used in his many DC books. He appeared in 1998.
These characters are slightly generic/formulaic. But in the genre it doesn’t matter much, and they’re so dang useful. Case in (knife) point…
Background
- Real Name: Guillermo Barrera.
- Marital Status: Unrevealed.
- Known Relatives: None.
- Base Of Operations: Mobile (formerly Hasaragua).
- Height: 5’4” Weight: 145 lbs.
- Eyes: Almond Hair: Black
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Powers and Abilities
Brutale is a psychotic mercenary with nothing to lose, and is capable of great cruelty. He is also a skilled interrogator and guerrilla soldier. He has a talent for knives – especially when it comes to throwing them.
However, while he’s certainly very dangerous for normal cops and the like, he simply doesn’t cut it when faced with superheroes like Nightwing or the Black Canary.
History
A torturer for his government’s secret police, Guillermo Barrera was forced to flee when the Marxist regime was toppled. Dubbing himself “Brutale,” Barrera placed his skills on the market as a hitman.
Hired by Blockbuster to eliminate Nightwing, Brutale now operates in Blüdhaven.
Description
Brutale’s costume is a grey, full body suit, covered with sheaths for holding his blades. Two scalpels adorn his mask, which is shaped like a hideous deaths-head.
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Personality
As his name implies, Brutale is remarkably vicious. His obvious sadist tendencies are accompanied by more discreet masochist practices. This is not the recreational type of SM at all – but a pathological fascination with pain and control. He’s quite simply a psychopath.
He’s terrified of facing the judgement and execution waiting for him in Hasaragua for his atrocious acts of brutality. Thus, he behaves as if he has nothing to lose.
At first Brutale was confident when facing superheroes. But with his defeats he has become something of a fraidy-cat. For instance, he tends to freeze for a second or two in crisis situations. He usually operates paired with a brasher mercenary, like Stallion or Lady Vic.
Quotes
“¡ Madre de Dios !”
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Brutale
| Dex: 05 | Str: 03 | Bod: 04 | Motivation: Mercenary |
| Int: 04 | Wil: 03 | Min: 03 | Occupation: Hitman |
| Inf: 04 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 03 | Resources {or Wealth}: 005 |
| Init: 017 | HP: 025 |
Skills:
Charisma (interrogation): 06, Thief (stealth): 04, Vehicles (land, sea): 04, Weaponry (firearms): 04, Weaponry (small bladed weapons): 06
Advantages:
Language (Spanish), Schtick (Fast draw – small bladed weapons).
Connections:
Blockbuster II (Low), Underworld (Low).
Drawbacks:
Exile (avoiding arrest and deportation to Hasaragua), Serious Psychological Instability (pathological sadomasochist), Minor Rage, Uncertainty.
Equipment:
- Combat knives (x4) [BODY 05, Enhance (EV): 01 (Cap is 06), Descriptor: Piercing, Slashing].
- Throwing knives (x18) [BODY 05, EV 03, Dart Bonus (Brutale can throw up to 3 knives per round, each knife past the first adding +1 to the final die roll (after re-rolling doubles), Grenade Drawback].
Game Stats — DC Adventures RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Brutale — Averaged PL5.4
| STR | STA | AGL | DEX | FGT | INT | AWE | PRE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Powers
Talent for Knives ● 1 point, Easily Removable (requires a small blade) ● Descriptor: Skill
– Fast Draw — Enhanced Advantage (All-out Attack, Quick Draw, Seize Initiative).
Enhanced Interrogation ● 2 points ● Descriptor: Skill, Pain, Fear
– Pain and Torture — Enhanced Skill (Intimidation 5), Limited (target is restrained).
Combat Advantages
All-out Attack, Close Attack 4, Defensive Roll 2, Move-by Action, Quick Draw, Rapid Attack (thrown blades) 2, Seize Initiative.
Other Advantages
Equipment 1, Languages 1 (Spanish).
Skills
Athletics 4 (+5), Close Combat: Small blades 2 (+9), Deception 1 (+2), Expertise: Criminal 4 (+5), Insight 2 (+3), Intimidation 0 (+6, limited to if the victim is restrained), Perception 4 (+5), Persuasion 1 (+2), Ranged Combat: Firearms 1 (+4), Ranged Combat: Thrown weapons 6 (+9), Stealth 6 (+8), Vehicles 2 (+5, Limited to land and sea).
Equipment
Combat knife Strength-based piercing Damage 1, Improved threat ● 2 points
Throwing knife Strength-based piercing Damage 1, Ranged 2 ● 3 points
Offense
| Initiative +2 |
| Unarmed +7, Close, Damage 1 |
| Combat knife +9, Close, Piercing Damage 2, Crit 19-20 |
| Throwing knife +9, Close, Piercing Damage 2, Multiattack |
Defence
| Dodge | 8 | Fortitude | 6 |
| Parry | 8 | Toughness | 4/2* |
| Will | 2 |
* Without Defensive Roll
Complications
- Greed Brutale is motivated by money.
- Pathological Sadomasochist Brutale is drawn to pain and suffering.
- Brutal Rage Brutale will kill and maim for no other reason than his killing rage.
- Criminal Exile Brutale is afraid of arrest and deportation to Hasaragua.
- Uncertainty Brutale has become highly cautious when dealing with powerful opponents. He will often make defensive moves, and he may (GM’s choice) give up initiative entirely.
Powers Levels
- Trade-off areas. Attack/Effect PL 6, Dodge/Toughness PL 6, Parry/Toughness PL 6, Fort/Will PL 4.
- Points total 74 Abilities 28, Defences 16, Skills 16, Powers 3, Devices 0, Advantages 11. Equiv. PL 5.
Notes
A street-level bad guy in the speed bump range. Interesting as a thought experiment in handling Interrogation. Another fighting style character.
Source of Character: Nightwing comics, DC Universe.
Helper(s): M&M stats by Pawsplay.